Process for the distillation of solid bituminous fuels



July 13, 1926. 1,592,467

H. ROSENTHAL PROCESS FOR THE DISTILLATION OF SOLID BITUMINOUS FUELS Filed March 24, 1922 H Faienf/m/ INVENTP ANN/V1229.

Patented July 13, 1926."

F [C E.

HANS ROSENTHAL, OF .BEBLIN, GERMANY, ASSIGNOB TO JULIUS-PINTBCH AK'IIEN GESELLSCHA'FT, OF BERLIN, GERMANY.

PROCESS FOR THE DISTILLATION OI SOLID BITUMINOUS FUELS.

Application filed larch 24, 1822, Serial No. 546,430, and in Germany August 19, 1920.

The present invention relates to aprocess for distilling oil shale and like bituminous fuels, and consists of the details hereinafter more fully described.

The invention has the purpose of utilizing to the fullest extent the combustible substance in distilled shale and comprises operations which are carried on in the lower portion of the distillation apparatus with such a high temperature that the fixed carbon of the shale is gasified (that is burnt by air or steam passed through same), and the temperature and the amount ofdistillation medium is regulated between the gasifying or burning zones on the one hand and the distillation zone on the other hand. Such a plant may be operatedin difierent ways and methods according to the condition of th; shale and the kind of gas to be obtaine (1) For example, cold or pre-heated air' or steam, or a mixture of both, or a mixture of either or both .with carbonaceous gases is led directly from below into the glowing and already distilled shale in order to gasify the fixed carbon present, at the high temperature there prevailing. The gas obtained or the waste gas generated therefrom by partial or com lete combustion with air is mixed with co (1 gas of substantially the same quality as the hot gas in order to obtain the necessary temperature and amount of gas for maintaining a uniform temperature in the distilling zone, and hence to give a good distillation process. The gas mixture thus obtained is fed into the distillation shaft distils the shale by delivering its own sensible heat to the shale. The feeding of the hot gas mixture into the distillation shaft may be effected through the connecting shaft through which also the shale reaches the gasifying shaft from the distillation shaft, or through a special hot gas conduit.

(2) The lowing and already distilled shale is gasi ed as before, the gas obtained is drawn oil? from the gasifying chamber, burnt in a s cial gas pro-heater of the circulation type recuperator or regenerator), and the heat obtained given off to gas or steam which is thereb heated to the temperature required for the istillation of the shale and passed to the distillation shaft. B discharging its sensible heat the gas disti the shale and is then f ed ir th dwall aoe pr wts gas is pure high-grade distillation gas not I contaminated by'nitrogen of the air. By proper regulation of the pressure a mixture of the hot gas escaping from the gasifying chamber and the hot circulation gas passing into the distillation shaft is prevented.

If so desiredthe distillation of the shale and thesubsequent combustion of same may be eifected in two apparatus arranged at some distance from each other. If the fixed carbon does not sufiice to sufliciently heat the circulation as in the pre-heater a portion of the distil ation gas reduced, or other fuel, may be burnt in ad ition in the preheater.

The process can be carried out in an apparatus such as is shown in the accompanymg drawing the said drawing representing a vertical section of a suitable apparatus.

'In said drawing a represents the distillation zone, 1), represents the neutral zone, and

0 represents the gas producing zone. From the gasifying zone, igie connections d lead to the bottom part '0 the distillation zone by passing the neutral zone. It represents an inlet for air, steam, or gas, or a mixture of these, for the purpose of producing gas,

can be withdrawn throng the pipe g.

at other times a portion of the generator gas can be withdrawn through the pipe g, WhlCll can be used for pre-heating air or steam, or gases, which are to be introduced through pipe k. Valves 8 are inserted in appropriate places in the various conduits for control of the gases introduced or withdrawn from the system. 6 is a hopper for feeding in shale and, the ke which is p ovided with a su t:

able cover and f is an outlet for vapors and gases, leadingto condenser and washer for the recovery of oil, ammonia and the like shown schmetrically at i. Part of the gases issuing from late withdrawn at n and'part re-circulated by means of the pump m through i as stated above.

It is to be uiiderstood that the process can be carried out with various apparatus different from that illustrated in the drawing.

I claim as my invention 1. A process for the distillation of solid bituminous fuels by means of a stream of hot gases comprising distilling a bituminous fuel to form a distilled vapor and a combustible residue, gassifying the said residue to form a hot gas, introducing into said hot gas a regulated amount of a gas of substantially the same composition as said hot gas and introducing the said mixed gases mto said bituminous fuel to perform the distillation.

2. A process for the distillation of solid bituminous fuels by means of a stream of hot gas comprising distilling a bituminous fuel to form' a distilled vapor and a combustible residue, gassifying the said residue to form a hot gas, introducing into said hot gas a regulated quantity of cool gas of substantially the same composition as the said hot gas to obtain a desired gas temperature and volume, and introducing the said mixed gases into said bituminous. fuel to distill said fuel.

In testimony whereof I have affixed my signature.

HANS ROSENTHAL. 

